Health and Medical Sciences

Master of Biostatistics

  • Domestic
  • International
  • Duration

    1.5 years full-time or part-time equiv.
  • Start Dates

    February and July
  • Location

    North Terrace Campus

About Degree

Apply your expertise in health

Have a knack for numbers? Interested in statistics and health science?

Biostatisticians collect, interrogate, interpret and communicate data. They provide the specialised skills needed to draw useful conclusions from health-related research.

What will you do?

Our Master of Biostatistics is offered in conjunction with the Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia (BCA) and delivered mostly online. You will:

  • learn from leading teachers and biostatisticians Australia-wide
  • study statistical theory and methods
  • apply your learning to problems in professional practice
  • build career skills through workplace research placements.

Where could it take you?

You’ll emerge fully qualified for registration. You could work for a pharmaceutical or biotech company. You’ll be in high demand in medical and epidemiological research, and government departments and agencies. Perhaps you’ll help design and execute world-changing clinical trials while sharing your knowledge as a university teacher.

 To find out more about the BCA program, visit the BCA website. 


Entry Requirements

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.I am a:

  • Domestic
  • International

    Domestic applicants

    SATAC Code3CM028
    DefermentYes - 2 year
    IntakeFebruary and July
    Additional Entry Requirements
    Applicants are required to meet an acceptable standard in Maths Proficiency. The selection process also considers qualifications/experience in a relevant field and includes an interview with the Program Coordinator. Applicants must contact the School of Public Health on 8313 4619 to arrange an appointment with the program co-ordinator.
    Selection Criteria
    Graduate entry


    Higher Education StudyA completed four-year degree or equivalent.


    Student Profile
    Applicant backgroundSemester one/Full year intake 2022
    Number of studentsPercentage of all students
    International studentsN/AN/A
    All students3100.0%


    International applicants

    CRICOSAvailable to non-student visa holder ONLY.
    IntakeFebruary and July
    International QualificationsApplicants must;
      • display a proven aptitude for advanced mathematical work, indicated for example by a high level of achievement in high school or undergraduate mathematics, or by means of an administrated mathematics exam;
      • have successfully completed introductory course in statistics for which they were formally enrolled and assessed, covering at least the estimation of means and proportions with confidence intervals, and the comparison of means and proportions between two groups using hypothesis tests (i.e. t-tests and chi-squared tests for 2x2 tables).
    Assumed KnowledgeSound mathematical qualifications equivalent to the core units of the Graduate Diploma in Biostatistics
    Additional Entry RequirementsAll applicants must attend an interview
    Selection Criteria
    English Language Requirements
    Australian Year 12Successful completion of an Australian year 12 qualification with a minimum pass in an accepted English language subject
    Qualifications that meet minimum English requirementsA range of alternative qualifications may meet the University’s minimum English requirements
    Academic Entry Requirements

    Detailed information on international qualifications assessment

    Tertiary QualificationsA Bachelor degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Science, Psychology, Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Economics, Health Sciences or other appropriate discipline from an approved university (or equivalent qualification such as the Graduate Certificate in Biostatistics.
    How to Apply
    Application information for international students
    Important application deadlines for international students

    Student Profile
    Applicant backgroundSemester one/Full year intake 2022
    Number of studentsPercentage of all students
    International studentsN/AN/A
    All students3100.0%


Fees and Scholarships

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.I am a:

  • Domestic
  • International

    Domestic applicants

    Indicative annual tuition fees
    Australian Full-fee place: $31,000

    Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

    Scholarships

    These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.


    International applicants

    Indicative annual tuition fees (24 units)International student place: $41,500

    Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

    More information on International Student tuition fees.

    Scholarships

    These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.


Careers

Career Readiness

The Master of Biostatistics will allow you to develop a specialist career role in health-related research or health services. Biostatistical expertise is in very high demand in many areas. Possible job settings include:

  • Medical and epidemiological research
  • The pharmaceutical industry
  • Government departments and agencies

The Masters degree also provides a great grounding for PhD and other higher degree research programs.

The University of APSB Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of APSB Graduate Attributes.

  1. Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
  2. Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
  3. Teamwork and communication skills
  4. Professionalism and leadership readiness
  5. Intercultural and ethical competency
  6. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
  7. Digital capabilities
  8. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Potential careers

Medical Research, Epidemiologist, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Scientist, Biotechnology, Biotechnology Engineer, Statistician, Biostatistician


Degree Structure

To qualify for the degree of Master of Biostatistics, the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 36 units, comprising:

1.  Core courses to the value of 15 units
2.  Elective courses to the value of 12 units
3.  Research courses to the value of 9 units comprising the capstone for this program

Please note: While a full time load of four courses per semester is technically possible, BCA recommends a load of two courses:

  • Four courses per semester: 1.5 years
  • Two courses per semester: 3 years

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Example Study Plan

Indicative study plan
Year level 1
Core CoursesBIOSTATS 6000  Epidemiology
BIOSTATS 6002EX  Data management and Statistical Computing
BIOSTATS 6005EX  Principles of Statistical Inference
BIOSTATS 6020EX  Regression Modelling for Biostatistics l
BIOSTATS 6019EX  Mathematical Foundations for Biostatistics
Year level 2
Core CoursesBIOSTATS 6021EX  Regression Modelling for Biostatistics ll
BIOSTATS 6009  Biostatistics Research Project A
BIOSTATS 6010  Biostatistics Research Project B
ElectivesTo satisfy the requirements for Elective Courses students must complete courses to the value of 12 units.

Courses to the value of at least 9 units from the following:

BIOSTATS 6004EX  Design of Randomised Controlled Trials (3 units)
BIOSTATS 6011EX  Statistical Genomics (3 units)
BIOSTATS 6012EX  Longitudinal & Correlated Data (3 units)
BIOSTATS 6014EX  Bayesian Statistical Methods (3 units)
BIOSTATS 6015EX  Health Indicators & Health Surveys (3 units)
BIOSTATS 6016EX  Clinical Biostatistics (3 units)
BIOSTATS 6017EX  Machine Learning (3 units)
BIOSTATS 6018EX  Causal Inference (3 units)

and/or

Courses to the value of up to 3 units that are available to them from the following:

PUB HLTH 7028  Infectious Disease Epidemiology
PUB HLTH 7081  Health Economics
PUB HLTH 7091  Knowing What Works – Evaluation for Public Health
PUB HLTH 7147OL  Health Technology Assessment
COMP SCI 7212  Human and Ethical Factors in Computer Science
COMP SCI 7317  Using Machine Learning Tools
MATHS 7027  Mathematical Foundations of Data Science
 
Or other postgraduate coursework courses available to them, as deemed eligible by the Program Coordinator.

Assessment

Project work, written assignments and practical work.


RECOGNITION AND AFFILIATIONS

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